Standard algebras (Q2539441)

A standard algebra over a field of characteristic not two is defined by the identities \[ (x,y,z) + (z,x,y) (x,z,y)=0 \quad\text{and}\quad (x,y,wz) + (w,y,xz) + (z,y,wx) =0, \] where \((x,y,z)\) is the associator \((xy)z - x(yz)\). These algebras were introduced by \textit{A. A. Albert} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 64, 552--593 (1948; Zbl 0033.15402)], and include associative algebras and commutative Jordan algebras. In this paper, the Peirce decomposition and derivations of a standard algebra \(A\) are studied. The Wedderburn principal theorem is proved by structure-lifting, and the Malcev conjugacy theorem (characteristic 0) is proved by looking at the commutative Jordan algebra \(A\). Finally, it is shown that the derivation algebra \(D(A)\) of \(A\) is semisimple (or zero) if and only if \(A\) is semisimple with each simple component of dimension not 3 over its center (characteristic 0).